Ballyhoos Bar and Grill — Restaurant in Merrill

We are not from Merrill and stopped to eat dinner and have a drink after a sporting event. The waitress was very nice and responsive. Unfortunately, the drinks were not what we expected. I ordered an old fashioned and my mother ordered a single amaretto and seltzer. Both drinks were served in tall glasses (14-16 oz) and were virtually clear in color, which was the first red flag. My mother is too polite to send anything back and refused to say anything, despite the drink tasting mostly like seltzer/off balance. We asked the waitress about the old fashioned and she offered to add a 2nd shot of whiskey to the mix and make it a double, which is what is typically served in a tall glass. After the shot was added, it was fine but still didnt taste like an old fashioned. Our table ordered 1 fish fry, 1 seafood plate, and 1 baked fish. The food took approx 45 mins to receive and looked like it sat for a bit before being brought out. The portion size of the seafood plate was smaller than expected based on the price. My mother was very happy with the cole slaw and asked the waitress to compliment the "chef" on it. The atmosphere was fine; typical Wisconsin bar/grille appearance. Toward the end of our visit, it smelled as if someone lit strong incense, which I think may have been from the cleaner used on the table next to us. Unfortunately, my husband became ill through the night and feels it was from the food. He wrote a negative review, prior to becoming ill, which the owner of the restaurant responded to in a very nasty and unnecessary manner. We are not the kind of people to send things back to the kitchen unless it is completely unedible, which this food was not; it was "fine." I don't typically leave reviews, especially negative ones. If I don't like I usually keep it to myself and let others firm their own opinions. However, based on the response of the owner, I cannot recommend this...

Management needs to deal with specifically the staff that answered the phone today 4/29/23. I called to place and order and the lady was rude from the beginning. I asked about the mixed appetizers and was told they don't have that anymore. So I asked what they do have and she said "everything but that" I ordered my sandwich they asked if they had mozzarella sticks she said no I asked about the poppers she said no. So I said what do you have then because im just going off the menu i found online. (Remember she just said she had everything but a mixed basket) she rudly starts to answer cuts off her sentence, is silent for a min then yells at someone in the background. Then yells at me about she can't hear me for the third time by the end of the call I had to practically yell at her since she said she couldn't hear me. I yell back to her ma'am I asked about the sides. She rudely comes back with I just told you and rambles them off again l. I just told her fine just want I ordered. Don't get mad at customers for asking questions about the menu and that its wrong online since they don't have a actual website. If this is how I'm gonna be treated just ordering food why should I ever go to...

Never been here, and will come again! Starters, I showed up for ladies night(thats was a bonus)! So the place looks fantastic inside! Way bigger than you think. Clean, spread out enough, plenty of room, bar was very kept neat. Simple too, nothing chaotic. We ate at the bar, even though plenty of places to eat, even a separate room in the back foe parties. They have a drinks menu of looking for something a little extra. Food menu was big, a lot to choose from so take your time. We need to come back to check out the breakfast! Wide variety of choices and flavors. The bartender and the server were super fantastic! Kind, friendly, and helpful. All reasonably priced for everything aswell. All in all, we are definitely coming back to try...